PETALING JAYA: With two key figures behind the multi-billion ringgit 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal now in custody, the hunt is on for five more.
Armed with fresh information from three arrested suspects, the authorities are confident of nabbing at least three of those still at large.
Former Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng Chong Hwa, 51, was the latest to be brought under the custody of Malaysia law enforcers when he arrived on Monday.
Faces to keep an eye out for: The Hunt is on for (from left) Low, Tan, Tang, Geh and Nik Faisal.
Former 1MDB general counsel Jasmine Loo, 50, and Kee Kok Thiam, 56, were held earlier. Kee and Loo returned on May 3 and July 7 respectively to surrender to authorities.
Since then, negotiations with the two have borne fruit, although Kee died of a stroke about three weeks after giving himself up.
Topping the list of those now being sought by police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is the scandal’s mastermind Low Taek Jho or Jho Low.
The other four fugitives are Low’s close associate and family friend Eric Tan Kim Leong @ Fat Eric, 45; former 1MDB executive director Casey Tang Keng Chee, 58; former 1MDB deputy chief financial officer Terence Geh Choh Heng, 52; and former SRC International’s chief executive officer Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil, 52.
All five are on Interpol’s wanted list. Lawyer Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla said he believes the MACC’s investigations will be centred on identifying the money trail of the funds stolen from 1MDB.
“The money was channelled through various accounts and I believe MACC will be looking to recover the stolen loot, besides investigating the crimes,” he told The Star.
He said since Loo had offered to assist in investigations, the law will allow plea-bargaining. She may get off with a reduced charge or lighter punishment.
Ng, too, is back in Malaysia to face charges after the US Court suspended his sentence and ordered that he be held by Malaysian authorities until the trial process here is completed. He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment in the US in March.
“I believe the authorities will seek information from Ng to aid in the recovery of money. He, too, may be allowed plea bargaining,” Mohamed Hanif said.
Getting Low back to Malaysia may be a harder task as an extradition treaty is required to bring home a fugitive.
“If Jho Low is in China, how is Malaysia to deal with the country? We do not have such a treaty with them.
“China also does not need to abide by Interpol’s Red Notice. There is no reason for China to hand him over to us. We are not a superpower.
“Sometimes, the effectiveness of the international law is limited by how big we are in the world,” Mohamed Hanif said.Criminologist Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy from the Centre for Policy Research at Universiti Sains Malaysia said the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) will have to build a strong case against Loo and Ng before framing charges.
“No stones must be left unturned. All assets and cash must be recovered. Any error or failure in charging them will indicate inefficiency. Bail must be denied if they are charged.” he said.
It has been reported that Kee had told MACC about meeting Jho Low and the other fugitives in Macau.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Hussain said on Wednesday police have never given up on tracking Low down.
